United States Statutes at Large/Volume 1/5th Congress/2nd Session/Chapter 38
[Obsolete.]
Chap. ⅩⅩⅩⅧ.—An Act to enable the President of the United States to procure Cannon, Arms and Ammunition, and for other purposes.
Appropriation to purchase cannon, small arms, &c.Section 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That a sum not exceeding eight hundred thousand dollars, shall be, and hereby is appropriated, and shall and may be paid out of any monies not before appropriated, under the direction of the President of the United States, to purchase, as soon as may be, a sufficient number of cannon, also a supply of small arms, and of ammunition and military stores, to be deposited, and used, as will be most conducive to the public safety and defence, at the discretion of the President of the United States.
Sec. 2.President may establish foundries and armouries. And be it further enacted, That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby authorized, in case he shall find it impracticable, to procure by purchase, with certainty and dispatch proportionate to the necessities of the public service, the cannon and arms hereby required, and any considerable part thereof shall be likely to be deficient, to take, by lease, for a term of years, or by sale in fee, to the United States, one or more suitable place or places where cannon or small arms may be advantageously cast and manufactured, and shall and may there establish founderies and armouries for the manufacture of the same, respectively, and shall cause suitable artisans and laborers to be there employed for account of the United States; and shall and may appoint one or more persons to superintend the said works, under the direction of the department of war. Accounts to be laid before Congress respecting the same.And an account of the expenditures which shall be incurred in forming and employing these establishments; and of the cannon and arms which shall be case and manufactured therein respectively, shall be laid before the Congress of the United States at their next session, and annually thereafter, so long as the same shall be continued.
Sec. 3.Appropriation for the foundries and armouries. And be it further enacted, That the sum of one hundred thousand dollars shall be and hereby is appropriated, and shall be paid out of any monies not before appropriated, for the hire, purchase and employ of the said founderies and armouries, respectively, in case such establishments shall be found necessary, as hereinbefore provided.
Approved, May 4, 1798.